The Homeless Himalayan

Yesterday I was in PetSmart and before I left I went to look at all of the kitties there waiting for homes like I always do. I usually read the little notices that are on the outside of their cages (telling why they happen to be there......allergies of former owners, moving into apartment and can't have animals, stray, etc.) One kitty caught my eye because he was a pure bred himalayan and I hadn't ever seen one there before. As I read the note on the outside of his cage, I became very angry. He was given up because "his people got a dog." Now, don't get me wrong, I am not against people adopting a dog, but I can't help but wonder how deep their love was for this gorgeous cat that he was thrown away like yesterday's trash in favor of having a dog. How seriously did they take their responsibility to this little one? http://PetoftheDay.com/talk/frown.gif I wish people would realize when they adopt (either a cat OR a dog) that it is a commitment that will last many, many years. Surely, these people didn't give it much thought. Now I have to wonder if the dog they adopted will be seeking another home in a couple of years because they got a "whim" to get another animal and their present dog is a "problem." Sorry, but I just needed to vent! http://PetoftheDay.com/talk/mad.gif

How low can a person get? Homeless Himalayan attracted my attention because of my own beloved, Dennis Bubba (Cat of the Day 7/30/00)and my immediate reaction was where could I get him? Dennis "might" enjoy a companion??? Realistically, I can't go and rescue the poor guy...BUT MAYBE SOME SPECIAL PERSON WILL COME INTO HIS LIFE AND THEY'LL LIVE HAPPILY EVER AFTER! Maybe, it's a blessing in disquise that those thoughtless creeps tossed him away. Aside from some pretty colorful comments I have for those mean, thoughless people..."Casual Pet Owners" should be somehow or the other "fixed" themselves. If you happen to find out what happened to "homeless" please let me know. Many Blessings and Happy 2001 to you all! http://PetoftheDay.com/talk/biggrin.gif
Joyce

Joyce.....The phone number for the PetSmart near me where I saw this beautiful cat is 856-853-0042. If you feel you are interested you could give them a call. This is in the town of Deptford, N.J. If I can be of any help to you just let me know. I know this is probably too far away from you, but I hope that he finds a home with someone as loving as you are and maybe who even has a built-in "cat buddy" for him like Dennis Bubba! http://PetoftheDay.com/talk/smile.gif His age was listed as 4 years and he was all curled up in a ball looking so precious. Fortunately, he did seem to have been taken care of as I didn't see any mats, etc. in his fur.

Spencer.....I hope you are right that he will be adopted quickly and I hope that next time around it will be for life! I noticed that they had a few kittens in there right before Christmas but they are all gone. Maybe this guy will be fortunate as well. http://PetoftheDay.com/talk/smile.gifYour story about the people who gave up a cat after 13 years just totally boggles my mind! I will never understand that kind of an attitude toward a pet. All of the pets I've ever had have been "family members" and it is absolutely inconceivable to me to have given any of them up. It must be terribly hard to foster animals, as I said in a previous post. You must worry quite a bit when you release them into the "unknown." I guess you have to just whisper a little prayer for their safety and well being and life goes on.

Obviously I agree with everything said here. My beautiful Sadie was being taken to the Vets for euthanasing because her owners were having another baby. I wonder what message was being given to the first child, of about three years old, that her parents were happy to get rid of "inconveniences" just when they liked. I hope she doesn't wonder if they would ever get rid of her in the same way if she became a nuisance. It makes me think that she would never grow up to be a responsible pet owner either, if she takes on her parents' values. When we got Sadie she settled in immediately, and I couldn't understand how she could be so loving - but a friend said that she had probably been inconsiderately treated at her first home, and immediately recognised that this new place was different. Happy endings make it all worthwhile, and I do hope things work out well for this lovely boy.

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Helen

Had to stop in at PetSmart today for my sweeties and looked for my friend, The Homeless Himalayan. I am happy to report he is no longer there. Hopefully he found a good home. Spencer, is it possible he is just at another shelter now? http://PetoftheDay.com/talk/frown.gif Do you know how that works?

When I was there today (Saturday) there was only one worker and I really did want to ask about the Himalayan, but she was busy with a family adopting a black lab puppy. Unlike the cats who are there all week long, dogs are only there on the weekend. I did listen to some of the questions she was asking the potential adopter and was impressed with how thorough the questions were. He was a person in maybe his late 30's and she asked if any other family member had adopted an animal from them. He said that his mother had, so she asked for her name and address. I was trying not to eavesdrop but I couldn't help it. http://PetoftheDay.com/talk/biggrin.gif Anyway, it made me feel better that so much goes into the screening.

When I bought my two Tonkinese from a breeder in the UK she told me that regardless of the circumstances she would gladly take back any of her cats that have been sold. She told me of two she had returned after 7 years (the owner couldn't take them when they moved country due to quarantine reagulations). I do not know if this is common practice amongst breeders but it was a nice attitude to hear!

This may not help with abandonment but at least the poor cats are abandoned at her place rather than on the side of a road.


BTW Spencer although Vulcans don't succumb to emotions I have met a few cats that would lead you to believe they have similar lineage to Spock & Tuvok(sp?), not to mention the average cats attitude to living long and prospering (and stacks of napping). http://PetoftheDay.com/talk/smile.gif

Spencer...I also recall an episode of TNG in which data tried to train Spot, and again another episode where Spot becomes fussy about food - or are they the same episode?

Either way they were very good representations of our feline friends - true to Star Trek form of getting things accurate!